23.04.2018
Chris Walters 1949 – 2018
We have received the sad news that UK crane veteran Chris Walters died suddenly on Thursday last week.
It is understood that he died after experiencing a serious heart issue. A well liked and genuine crane rental professional, he began his career in the crane industry when he joined Stanley Davies Crane Hire in 1976, which became part of Hewden Stuart.
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Chris Walters
He progressed through the organisation to become operations manager. He left the company in 1983, returning in 1993 as operations manager Heavy Cranes Division based in Castleford. He left again after Finning acquired Hewden and began its series of restructuring programmes, moving to Ainscough Crane Hire for a while.
He then re-joined Hewden in 2000 as crane manager at its Corus, Scunthorpe location. Becoming quality manager for Hewden in 2003. In 2009 he moved to Baldwins Crane Hire as depot supervisor, followed by a short spell at Mammoet before settling into an operations role at HTC as accessories manager for Reco hoists which he held until his died last week.
One ex colleague said of him: “I knew Chris from my time as depot manager at Hewden’s Willenhall depot in Birmingham, and I always found him to be helpful, supportive and he was always willing to lend an ear when required.”
His funeral is being held on Tuesday 15th May at 1pm at St Cuthberts Church, Ackworth, WF7 7EJ. Afterwards will be at the Brown Cow Pub, next door to the church. Donations are requested in lieu of flowers to the British Heart Foundation at
this link.
Very sad news with the sudden passing of Chris Walters at the young age of sixty nine.Chris joined Stanley Davies Plant Northern following the acquisition by Hewden Stuart. Chris's background was road haulage through and through. He took to moving heavy cranes, crawler cranes etc like a duck to water. Chris was quiet by nature but had the respect of all us knowing he was the lynch pin and gave everone a hundred and ten percent.
Sincere condolences to Linda and the family.
RIP Chris. Taken too soon.
So sad to hear this. I can still remember exactly what his voice sounded like, even now. I had the pleasure of working and dealing with Chris when I was a young man learning the business at Hewden Stuart.
Such a lovely, lovely guy. My sincere condolences to his family.
b
Probably not many Crane Manufacturers around now who knew and appreciated Chris. Sad News. Met him recently ironically at a Funeral. We had a good relationship and he was always a pleasure to speak with. He had a great technical knowledge of Cranes and Transport and always on top of his game. I wish his Family strength to get through this sad and difficult time
David Slack
Chris will be sadly missed by all who ever had dealings with him in the Crane Industry.
We had many dealings with Chris when he worked at Hewdens and was always very helpful. Chris then went on to join us at Crane Services. He proved to be a very dedicated and well liked employee.
Sincere condolences to his family.
I dealt with Chris for many years through Hewden's and then had the pleasure of working along side him when he joined Crane Services before we became part of the Ainscough family
A genuine nice bloke with cranes in his blood
My thoughts are with his family
Crane01
I am deeply shocked at the sad passing of one of the industries nice guys.
We always used to deal with Chris, when we had our first 200 ton Demag crane on many a Hewden Tower crane cross-hire.
Chris was always a pleasure to talk to on the hiredesk.
For all at NMT ,especially the ex-Hewden guys, you will be greatly missed.Thoughts are with your family.
Ray Ledger
It is with great sadness that I have learnt of Chris' passing so suddenly, it was only last Monday that we had a long conversation in a local supermarket reminiscing about the past.
I had the pleasure of working with Chris for many years particularly in Hewden Stuart Crane Hire when he played a major role in the development of heavy cranes.
In addition to to being very capable in his work life he was also a really nice genuine person.
Whilst being very down to earth Chris possessed a sophistication that was not generally known, for example he was a very talented and commited Morris dancer which I know he loved.
I send my sincere condolences to Linda and the family.
RIP Chris.